RSD counselors work with Arkansas Tech CLLFifteen counselors representing each campus in the Russellville School District (RSD) are engaged in an ongoing series of professional development workshops offered by the Arkansas Tech University Center for Leadership and Learning. The workshops began in November, at which time the participants established the beliefs, vision and mission of counselors in the RSD, discussed the goal-setting process and studied the American School Counselor Ass...

Early voting begins TuesdayEarly voting for the State Senate District 16 seat begins Tuesday. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays Tuesday through Jan. 12 at the Pope County Election Headquarters on East Main Street in Russellville. Polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Jan. 13, at six locations throughout the county. District 16 encompasses all of Pope and Newton counties and parts of Boone, Carroll and Van Buren counties. The ...

Holiday DWI arrests slightly upPartygoers rang in 2015 with slightly more arrests for drinking and driving than was reported the previous year. The Russellville Police Department (RPD) reported no DWI arrests and only two disturbance calls after the 2014 New Year’s holiday. This year, RPD reported an increase in disturbance calls and some DWI-related arrests. “We had 14 disturbance calls and a few DWI arrests,” RPD Public Information Officer Drew Latch said. RPD had increas...

Brutal cold to blast eastern half of U.S., challenge records in MidwestIn a weather pattern common for January, waves of arctic air will flow from the Midwest to the Northeast and South into the coming weekend. The waves of arctic air coming in this week will be painful for those who have to spend time outdoors, unless properly dressed. In addition to the below-average temperatures forecast, AccuWeather.com RealFeel® Temperatures will be 15-30 degrees lower than the actual temperature at times. RealFeel Temperatu...

News Briefs (Jan. 4, 2015)ARVAC Home Energy Assistance Program ARVAC Winter Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) will open Wednesday. The heating program is a one-time payment based on family income and household size. Households or individuals must have proof of income for the previous month for all adults over 18 years of age of the household and a copy of their heating bill. Persons in Yell County (Dardanelle) wishing to apply should visit the ARVAC offi...

News Briefs (Jan. 3, 2015)Meet and greet Coach Dawson The Russellville Athletic Department will host a meet and greet for Russellville High School head football coach Billy Dawson at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Russellville High School Cafeteria. In addition, the public is invited to meet his wife Karen, son Luke and daughter Rachel. Arts Center announces art exhibit River Valley Arts Center has announced the works of Jessica Stevens as its January featured art exhibit. Jes...

Review of 2014 River Valley weatherFrom icy outages to severe thunderstorms, Arkansas River Valley residents experienced a variety of weather in 2014. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Russellville received more than 43 inches of rain in 2014 but fell short of its annual average by nearly 6 inches. The highest monthly rainfall total was in May with more than 6 inches of rain, but the largest amount of rainfall in a 24-hour period was on Oc...

Police department almost completeCLARKSVILLE — The Clarksville Police Department (CPD) will move into its new home later this year. "We are currently in the final phases of construciton and are hoping to be fully moved in by March 2015," Chief Greg Donaldson said. The 12,500-square-foot facility was funded by a 1-cent sales tax voters approved in 2011. In addition to the $2.7 million police station, the sales tax was used to fund construction and operation costs of an aquatic...

Franklin retires at 81Lydia Franklin retired from her position at Experience Works Inc. on Tuesday — at the age of 81. A former administrative assistant, Franklin worked for the company for 19 years and trained area residents over the age of 55 for employment. "I've been putting old people to work," Franklin said. "I love being able to help people who need help. I love to make a difference in their lives." Prior to working at Experience Works Inc., Franklin was a r...

Local gas dips below $2Arkansas River Valley residents are reaping the benefits of the lowest gas prices in nearly six years. With gas prices less than $2 in Russellville, local gas stations are seeing an increase in sales. As of Friday afternoon, Wal-Mart and Kroger recorded the lowest price in Russellville at $1.93, while Shell, Flying J, Pilot and Phillips 66 all recorded $1.99 per gallon. Mark Fletcher, owner of Russellville-based Fletcher Oil Company Inc., whic...

Museum lawsuit settled out of courtA nearly yearlong dispute between the Museum of Military History founder and board members has ended peacefully. A lawsuit filed by museum founder Lee Fields against board members Lloyd Walker, Cindy Walker and Barbara Adams in April was recently dismissed, according to documents filed by the Pope County Circuit Clerk on Wednesday. Cindy Walker said she was recently named director of the museum and said the lawsuit was settled Dec. 18. "We agr...

Case settled, constable continues serviceKenneth Loveless will continue to serve as a Pope County constable after settling a case against him. "I plan to continue to serve as constable," Loveless said. "I will honor and uphold the oath I am sworn to. I also intend to protect and serve the people of my township as long as I am needed." Loveless ran unopposed for re-election as Crow Mountain East Constable. He was first elected in 2010 and was re-elected in 2012. The settlement, which ...

City park acreage above averageRussellville's Recreation and Parks Department oversees maintenance for more parks than other cities in Arkansas with similar populations. During its December meeting, Director Mack Hollis told the Russellville Recreation and Parks Commission that his department maintains more acres of city parks than most. "We have three times the park acreage than most other communities have with populations of our size, which is great," Hollis said. "Also, ...

RSD hire affects policyAfter a 30 minute executive session, the Russellville Board of Education unanimously approved the hire of William Dawson as new Cyclone head football coach during a called meeting Tuesday. The board unanimously approved the employment of Dawson as a secondary teacher, Russellville High School head football coach, athletic coordinator and offseason coach. "We are very pleased to be able to hire coach Billy Dawson to lead the Cyclone football pr...

Russellville chamber announces banquetThe Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Membership Celebration and Banquet at 6 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the Center for the Arts. Congressman Steve Womack will be the keynote speaker for the event, Executive Vice President of the Russellvlle Area Chamber of Commerce Stephanie Beerman said. “Russellville is home to many wonderful businesses and individuals, and for 95 years (1920-2015) the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce ...

Help Network adds six board membersHelp Network Director Ed Seay announced six new members on the organization's board of directors for 2015. Beginning in January, Trey Smith, Sue Ann Jernigan, Trevor Martin, Stacey Greer, Sherrie Cotton and Skye Thompson will join the organization's board. "I think it's a great community service they do," Smith said of the organization. "I am glad to help be a part of it." Help Network, a faith-based nonprofit organization, was founded in 1992...

Half-marathon training startsThe 2nd annual RussVegas Half Marathon and Relay will be April 11, and runners are already preparing. Race organizers will host an informational meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce for anyone interested in participating who may not know what to expect. The meeting will also give experienced runners an opportunity to find other runners to train with. The official training program, which costs $35 per perso...

News Briefs (Jan. 2, 2015)Kidney Smart Class at library Jan. 8 The Pope County Library System is partnering with DaVita River Valley Dialysis to promote kidney disease awareness with the Kidney Smart class, which will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 in Heritage Hall. The class, which is free, will be taught by Janet Scott, BSN PD RN certified kidney educator. Scott will discuss causes of kidney disease, different stages of kidney disease and health tips. Ligh...